Apparatus and method for dispensing fluid through a port connector

ABSTRACT

A dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing fluid from a container is disclosed. The dispensing apparatus includes a container for storing fluid and a dispensing cap. The dispensing cap includes a bottom portion configured to be attachable to the container and a port connector including a bottom cylindrical end for attaching the port connector through a hole in the bottom portion of the dispensing cap. The dispensing cap also includes a protective cap connectable to a top cylindrical end of the port connector for providing access to the dispensing cap. A dispensing instrument is arranged to be connectable to the top cylindrical end of the port connector to retrieve liquid stored in the container attached to the dispensing cap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to medical devices, and is particularly directed to an apparatus and method for dispensing fluid from a container through a port connector.

2. Description of the Related Art

Medical professionals routinely dispense fluid such as prescription topical anesthetic for medical reasons, such as controlling pain, easing discomfort and suppressing gag reflexes. These fluids are typically provided in storage containers, wherein multiple doses of a prescription fluid are provided in each container. In order to obtain the appropriate dosage of fluid, the cap of the storage container is removed and a dispenser, such as a syringe may be inserted into the container to retrieve the desired dosage. This, however, can lead to contamination of the liquid in the container if a contaminated syringe is inserted into the storage container. A small amount of the fluid may be poured into another container and accessed from the other container. This may lead to waste if the amount poured into the other container is more than the amount needed and it may also lead to contamination if the excess amount is returned to the storage container.

To reduce cross contamination and infection, disposable or “one-use” syringes may be used. So, it is possible to insert a disposable syringe into the container to obtain the liquid while reducing the risks of contamination. In order to obtain the liquid from the container without inserting significant portions of the syringe into the container, however, a blunt tip needle with a large opening is required. While these types are needles are useful in obtaining liquid from containers, they are too large for certain medical procedures. For example, these types of needles cannot be used by dentists to get into a pocket of a tooth. But, needles with thin tips, hereafter referred to as thin-tipped needles, cannot obtain the required liquid from containers because of the size of the needle tip. So there is a need for an apparatus and method for accessing liquid from a container with a syringe that is attachable to thin-tipped needles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention is directed to a dispensing cap for dispensing fluid stored in a container. The dispensing cap includes a bottom portion configured to be attachable to the container and a port connector including a bottom cylindrical end for attaching the port connector through a hole in the bottom portion of the dispensing cap. The dispensing cap also includes a protective cap connectable to a top cylindrical end of the port connector for providing access to the dispensing cap. A dispensing instrument is arranged to be connectable to the top cylindrical end of the port connector to retrieve liquid stored in the container attached to the dispensing cap.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for dispensing fluid stored in a container. The method includes removing a protective cap from the top of a dispensing cap, wherein the dispensing unit includes a bottom portion configured to be attachable to the container and a port connector including a bottom cylindrical end for attaching the port connector through a hole in the bottom portion of the dispensing cap. The protective cap is connectable to a top cylindrical end of the port connector for providing access to the dispensing cap. The method also includes attaching a dispensing instrument to the top cylindrical end of the port connector, retrieving an appropriate amount of liquid through the dispensing instrument, detaching the dispensing instrument from the top cylindrical end of the port connector and applying the retrieved liquid to a patient.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a dispensing kit for dispensing fluid. The dispensing kit includes a container for storing fluid and a dispensing cap. The dispensing cap includes a bottom portion configured to be attachable to the container and a port connector including a bottom cylindrical end for attaching the port connector through a hole in the bottom portion of the dispensing cap. The dispensing cap also includes a protective cap connectable to a top cylindrical end of the port connector for providing access to the dispensing cap. A dispensing instrument is arranged to be connectable to the top cylindrical end of the port connector to retrieve liquid stored in the container attached to the dispensing cap.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention that together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention including a dispensing cap;

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a proximal view of the bottom of the dispensing cap;

FIG. 3 illustrates a proximal view of the bottom of the dispensing cap after assembly;

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention, wherein a protective cap is unscrewed from the dispensing cap;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the invention, wherein the protective cap is screwed on to the dispensing cap;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the invention, wherein the protective cap is unscrewed from dispensing cap and the storage container is in use with a dispensing instrument; and

FIG. 7 illustrates the steps implemented in an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The present invention is directed to a novel dispensing cap for dispensing fluid from a container and to a novel method of dispensing fluid from the container through a port connector.

FIG. 1 illustrates a kit which includes a container 102 with a dispensing cap 104 including a port connector 106. Liquid stored in the container may be retrieved with a dispensing instrument. An example of the dispensing instrument may include a syringe which can be attached to a thin-tipped needle or a small micro brush. Container 102 may be used to store fluid to be dispensed. Although container 102 is shown as a bottle, it should be noted that container 102 may be any type of container that is configured to store fluid. As previously noted, the fluid may be prescription medication that needs to be dispensed in predefined dosage. A dispensing instrument, such as a syringe or brush, may be threaded on or inserted in to port connector 106 in order to obtain the required dosage from container 102.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a proximal view of the bottom of dispensing cap 104. An embodiment of the bottom of dispensing cap 104 is a stock phenolic cap, which is bored with a hole 202. The hole 202 may be bored in the center of dispensing cap 104 and may be approximately six millimeter. Upon creating the hole, dispensing cap 104 is cleaned of debris and washed with cleaning solvents to remove contaminants. The inner walls on the side of the bottom of dispensing cap 104 are suitably configured to mate with the opening of the container.

Port connector 106 is a hollow cylindrical unit which includes a bottom cylindrical end 204 for attaching the port connector 106 to dispensing cap 104 and a top cylindrical end for attaching the port connector 106 to a protective cap or a dispensing instrument. Assembly of dispensing cap 104 includes threading the bottom cylindrical end 204 of port connector 106 into hole 202. The walls of cylindrical end 204 are grooved or otherwise suitably configured to allow cylindrical end 204 to be threaded into hole 202. Upon threading cylindrical end 204 into hole 202, a sealant is applied to the threads. A nut 206 is threaded onto the threaded cylindrical end 204 to lock the port connector 106 into hole 202. Any excess threads of the port connector 106 protruding out of nut 206 are removed so that threaded cylindrical end 204 is flushed with the bottom of locking nut 206.

FIG. 3 illustrates a proximal view of the bottom of the storage dispensing cap after assembly. After a sufficient setting time for the sealant, the inner surface of dispensing cap 104 may be flooded with silicon to form a gasket seal 208 against the top of container 102. In an embodiment of the invention, the amount of silicon is filled to a depth just past the length of the threaded tip of cylindrical end 204 and locking nut 206 and no silicon is applied on locking nut 206 or cylindrical end 204.

In an embodiment of the invention, the storage container 102 is shipped with a standard cap which does not include port connector 106. Prior to use, the shipping cap is removed and replaced with dispensing cap 104.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the storage container, wherein a protective cap 402 is unscrewed from port connector 106 to enable use of dispensing cap 104. A plurality of threads 406 located on a top cylindrical extension 404 of port connector 106 extends outwardly from the tip of cylindrical extension 404. The inner walls of protective cap 402 are located and oriented to mate with threads located on top cylindrical extension 404,of port connector 106 so as to enable one to open and close port connector 106.

During use, protective cap 402 is removed from port connector 106 to permit a dispensing instrument to be affixed to port connector 106. As noted above, the dispensing instrument may be a syringe that is arranged to be threaded to top cylindrical extension 404 of port connector 106. Threads 406 are also oriented to mate with threads on a suitable dispensing instrument. After the dispensing instrument is affixed to port connector 106, the appropriate amount of liquid is aspirated and an appropriate application tip may thereafter be attached to the dispensing instrument for dispensing the liquid to a patient. Alternatively, the dispensing instrument may be a micro brush or other instrument that is configured to be inserted into the hollow portion of port connector 106 to obtain a small amount of liquid for application to the patient.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the storage container 102, wherein protective cap 402 is screwed on to the port connector. Protective cap 402 is mated on to port connector 106 with threads 502 located on the inner walls of protective cap 402 and threads located on the top cylindrical extension of port connector 106. Dispensing cap 104 is also mated to container 102 with threads located on the side inner walls of dispensing cap 104 and threads located on the top opening of container 102. After use, container 102 may be stored as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the storage container, wherein the protective cap is unscrewed from port connector 106 and the storage container is in use with a dispensing instrument. In an embodiment of the invention, during use, the dispensing instrument 602 is mated on to port connector 106 with threads located on the inner walls of the dispensing instrument and threads located on the top cylindrical extension of port connector 106. In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the dispensing instrument 602 is inserted through port connector 106 and dispensing cap 104 and into container 102 to obtain liquid stored in container 102. Upon obtaining the appropriate amount of liquid, the dispensing instrument is unscrewed from port connector and protective cap 402 is screwed onto port connector 106. An appropriate tip may, thereafter, be attached to the syringe to apply the liquid to the patient in places not accessible with standard syringes.

FIG. 7 illustrates the steps implemented in an embodiment of the invention. In Step 7010, a shipping cap is removed from the container 102 and discarded. In Step 7020, dispensing cap 104 including port connector 106 is attached to the container. During use, in Step 7030, protective cap 402 is removed and a syringe is screwed onto port connector 106. In Step 7040, an appropriate amount of liquid is aspirated and the syringe is removed from port connector 106 and replaced with protective cap 402. Thereafter, an appropriate tip is attached to the syringe and the liquid is applied to otherwise inaccessible areas on the patient. In an alternative embodiment, instead of screwing the syringe into port connector 106, an appropriate brush or applicator may be inserted into port connector 106 to obtain the desired amount of liquid.

Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to certain embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the inventive testing device and the method of the instant invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. It is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of the inventive testing device and method provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A dispensing cap for dispensing fluid stored in a container, the dispensing cap comprising: a bottom portion configured to be attachable to the container; a port connector comprising a bottom cylindrical end for attaching the port connector through a hole in the bottom portion of the dispensing cap; and a protective cap connectable to a top cylindrical end of the port connector for providing access to the dispensing cap, wherein a dispensing instrument is arranged to be connectable to the top cylindrical end of the port connector to retrieve liquid stored in the container attached to the dispensing cap.
 2. The dispensing cap of claim 1, wherein the walls of the bottom cylindrical end are configured to allow the bottom cylindrical end of the port connector to be threaded into the hole and attached to the dispensing cap.
 3. The dispensing cap of claim 2, wherein upon threading the walls of the bottom cylindrical end into the hole, a sealant is applied to threads of the bottom cylindrical end and a locking nut is threaded onto the threaded bottom cylindrical end.
 4. The dispensing cap of claim 3, wherein excess thread of the bottom cylindrical end protruding out of the locking nut is removed.
 5. The dispensing cap of claim 3, wherein a gasket seal is formed on the inner surface of the dispensing cap.
 6. The dispensing cap of claim 1, wherein inner walls of the protective cap are configured to mate with threads located on the top cylindrical end of the port connector.
 7. The dispensing cap of claim 1, wherein upon retrieving liquid from the dispensing cap, the dispensing instrument is connectable to an appropriate tip for dispensing the liquid to a patient.
 8. The dispensing cap of claim 1, wherein the dispensing instrument is a syringe that is connectable to a thin-tipped needle for dispensing the liquid to a patient.
 9. The dispensing cap of claim 1, wherein the dispensing instrument is an instrument configured to be inserted into a hollow portion of the port connector to obtain a small amount of liquid for application to the patient.
 10. A method for dispensing fluid stored in a container, the method comprising: removing a protective cap from the top of a dispensing cap, wherein the dispensing unit includes a bottom portion configured to be attachable to the container and a port connector comprising a bottom cylindrical end for attaching the port connector through a hole in the bottom portion of the dispensing cap, and wherein the protective cap is connectable to a top cylindrical end of the port connector for providing access to the dispensing cap, attaching a dispensing instrument to the top cylindrical end of the port connector; retrieving an appropriate amount of liquid through the dispensing instrument; detaching the dispensing instrument from the top cylindrical end of the port connector; and applying the retrieved liquid to a patient.
 11. A dispensing kit for dispensing fluid, the dispensing kit comprising: a container for storing fluid, and a dispensing cap including a bottom portion configured to be attachable to the container, a port connector comprising a bottom cylindrical end for attaching the port connector through a hole in the bottom portion of the dispensing cap and a protective cap connectable to a top cylindrical end of the port connector for providing access to the dispensing cap, wherein a dispensing instrument is arranged to be connectable to the top cylindrical end of the port connector to retrieve liquid stored in the container attached to the dispensing cap. 